What are the traditions of Placencia, Belize?
Nikki Muschamp
Fishing is a big tradition here in Placencia. We have a Lobster Fest, which is held over a weekend dedicated to the opening of the lobster season. At Lobster Fest, everything is basically made from lobster. In February, we have the Sidewalk Festival. The sidewalks in Placencia Village are in the Guinness Book of World Records for the narrowest main street in the world. In February, during the weekends, there are arts festivals on the sidewalks where...
Fishing is a big tradition here in Placencia. We have a Lobster Fest, which is held over a weekend dedicated to the opening of the lobster season. At Lobster Fest, everything is basically made from lobster. In February, we have the Sidewalk Festival. The sidewalks in Placencia Village are in the Guinness Book of World Records for the narrowest main street in the world. In February, during the weekends, there are arts festivals on the sidewalks where different people display their art in the streets.
We have the Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19 when we celebrate the day and when Garifunas first landed in Belize. The entire country celebrates this because Garifuna people are all over the country. This is also recognized here in Placencia. Even though Placencia is not a Garifuna village, we still have reenactment here in the village for visitors and for the Placencia people as well. Garifuna Settlement Day is also celebrated in Seine Bight, which is actually a Garifuna community.
The peninsula fire department holds a Fire Ball for the Humane Society. There is also a fund raising activity for the fire department. There is a Mistletoe Ball in Christmas. There is a lot going on here in Placencia.
Going to church is also a big tradition. There are lots of churches around here. I see churches here that are open even on Mondays and Wednesdays or even on all the days of the week. Going to church is part of the culture here in Placencia; you can’t just ignore it.
We also have fishing tournaments that are usually held in September, around the 21st, which is actually the Independence Day here in Belize. People come from all over the world with their teams. It is a fun tournament, because they have different categories in the tournament that you can win.
The Flaming Heart Ball is for the voluntary fire department and the Furball Fashion Show is for the Humane Society. There is a band, you eat, and dance. It is a fundraiser. Whatever proceeds we receive from these events are given to the Fire department and the Humane Society. The Flaming Heart Ball is normally done in February and the Furball is in March. Everyone participates.
For the Flaming Heart Ball, all the restaurants cook a meal and donate it and then the community buys tickets so they can eat and dance, me included. You dress as you please, just like you are going to a nice dinner. Most people dress up, but it is not required.
Posted December 1, 2014